In a Daoist temple on the outskirts of the city.
Xu Mei sat on a meditation cushion, muttering under his breath.
Opposite him knelt a couple, both dressed remarkably well.
"Master, thanks to you we safely got through this crisis."
"Yes, master, you finally returned from your travels. Don't worry, we will cover all the incense money for Ziyang Palace this year!"
Xu Mei twirled his beard, about to speak, when suddenly a dull pain throbbed in his chest.
He almost fell off the cushion and it took him long to stabilize himself, barely managing to summon the energy to say:
"In that case... you should leave quickly, I need to close up for a while..."
The couple, very obedient to Xu Mei's words, did not dare to delay and quickly left after bowing.
Once the door closed, Xu Mei could no longer hold himself up and, clutching his chest, he vomited a mouthful of black blood with a "wah."
His body began to tremble uncontrollably.
Especially his left arm.
